UNITEDRANT

Rant’s Premier Predictions 2014/15 revisited

Each year Rant predicts the season ahead. Manchester United’s performance, the winners, the losers and the individual stars. There have been mixed results over the years – check out 2009/10, 2010/11, 2011/12, 2012/13 and 2013/14. This year is no different.

It has been a mixed season for United, with Louis van Gaal leading something of a renaissance at Old Trafford by qualifying for the Champions League, albeit without any silverware to show for the campaign. United missed out on the third place Rant forecast. Meanwhile, Rant’s prediction that United’s campaign would also include a Capital One Cup semi-final fell flat, although the Reds did make the FA Cup quarter-final.

On the playing front Robin van Persie was most certainly not United’s Player of the Year, while James Wilson’s breakthrough didn’t quite materialise in the first team. Andreas Pereira was a worth Reserve Player of the Year. Marcus Ashford made “big strides,” this season according to under-18s coach Paul McGuiness, but missed out to Axel Tuanzebe as the Young Player of the Year.

Domestically, Rant correctly predicted this season’s champions, Chelsea, and the make-up of the top four – although Arsenal beat United to third. Manchester City did not win the FA Cup, nor did Liverpool capture the Capital One Cup. Sergio Aguero had another fine season, although was beaten to Player of the Year by Eden Hazard. Ross Barkley largely disappointed at Everton, with Harry Kane capturing the Young Player trophy. Of the predicted sackings only Harry Redknapp left his job this season – a resignation.

Finally, in Europe, Sevilla and not Fiorentina won the Europa League, while either Barcelona or Juventus will take the Champions League on Saturday – not Real Madrid.